Front disk brake conversion on 4x4 Jimmy

[chadcampbell00]

I have been browsing around looking for a frond disk brake conversion kit for a 1970 Jimmy 4x4 but all I can seem to find is rear brake conversions and front conversions for 2wd. I'm sure they make the kit for the 4wd also so does anyone know where to find it at? Thanks in advance.

[Jdubs71]

You can always swap in a later model 1/2 ton front end. Its a direct swap for the front axle and you can find them complete for $100-$200.
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[chadcampbell00]

Yea, I have considered that. I was kinda wanting to go with all new components but if i have to I could always just put new on another axel. I just figured they would make the conversion for the 4x4

[lolife99]

Give these guys a call,...
http://www.blackbirdscustomtrucks.com/index26.html

[Jdubs71]

Here is another link, but very expensive
http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/...t-p-16920.html

You may be able to find a donor axle and take off the knuckles, hubs, spindles, caliper brakets etc... And swap them over. You will find that swaping a different front axle will be easier. Stay wirh the same gear ratio if you do, unless you plan on regearing both axles. I used mid 70's d44 front and a 12bolt rear.
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[Steven B]

I swapped in a 72 axle in my 70. Very easy, also swapped out the master cylinder, prop valve and front brake lines for 71-72.

[AJs72K5]

Originally Posted by Jdubs71

You may be able to find a donor axle and take off the knuckles, hubs, spindles, caliper brakets etc... And swap them over. You will find that swaping a different front axle will be easier. Stay wirh the same gear ratio if you do, unless you plan on regearing both axles. I used mid 70's d44 front and a 12bolt rear.
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This is the cheapest and easiest way to do it. This way you don't have to hunt for a donor axle with the correct gear ratio. You just need everything from the knuckles out on both sides. Pretty much the same process to go from 6 to 8 lug on a D44 or front 10 bolt, btw. If you need the knuckles, the hardest part of this whole swap is the new ball joints.

[70-K5]

I'm with Steven B, I put a D44 with disc's in my 70 as well. New MC, yard proportioning valves and new front lines, new calipers and new pads, basically brand new...

do you have open or closed knuckle D44 under your jimmy? If they're open you can't reuse your knuckles even though they look like you could....

[chadcampbell00]

WOW $1400!! I guess I will go with the axle swap. I know where I can get my hands on another axle so I guess i'm gonna just make that call. Thanks for the info and links

[Nermal67]

Originally Posted by 70-K5

I'm with Steven B, I put a D44 with disc's in my 70 as well. New MC, yard proportioning valves and new front lines, new calipers and new pads, basically brand new...

do you have open or closed knuckle D44 under your jimmy? If they're open you can't reuse your knuckles even though they look like you could....

How do you tell the difference between open & closed?

[70-K5]

Scroll down to the part about knuckles

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/tr...xle-tech-info/

[Jdubs71]

The quick and dirty explanation...the open knuckles have visible or exposed u-joints on the end of the axles just inside the wheels. The closed knuckle looks like a large ball at the end of the axles and has enclosed u-joints. Pros and cons to both, but the open knuckles are more popular and easier to work on.
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[chadcampbell00]

Another question, will I need a different master cylinder and will I need to put a prop valve after installing the disk brakes on the front

[Jdubs71]

When it comes to brakes I don't go cheap like I would with other things. Buy a new master cylinder and get a prop valve for front disc/rear drums. You should replace the front brake lines while your at it.

Here is a link to inline tube. They carry everything for brakes.
http://inlinetube.com/Brake%20Hoses%20rubber/hoses.htm

[70-K5]

I picked up a basic master cylinder for a 71 pickup, bolted right up to my 70's vacuum booster just fine.
I used a proportioning valve from a 72 I found in a junkyard, these things rarely go bad and are super simple, plus I couldn't find anyplace that sold the right one for me. Anybody parting a 71-72 pickup should be able to provide you with the right valve pretty affordable.

I bought the front brake line set from Classic Industries. Fit well and you will find that the hard lines will mount up to a different hole in the frame.

[chadcampbell00]

Everything with my braking system is brand new. I bought the jimmy less than a year ago and the po had changed everything (booster, master cylinder, lines, drums, shoes). I thought that my back brakes were locking up too much so I put an aftermarket adjustable proportioning valve on it and realized that actually it's my front brakes that are not working. I tried adjusting them but they keep self adjusting themselves loose again. I hate to change everything since its new but i really need front brakes. With that said, would the adjustable prop serve my purpose or do I need a factory one? And a couple of you said I should change to brake lines also, is there a different size line for disk brakes and drum brakes or was that just to have new?